On Monday, Expo 2020 Dubai saw the launch of the eighth annual Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.

Under the theme ‘Comprehensive Citizenship: From Shared Existence to Shared Conscience,’ the three–day forum includes UAE, regional and international participation.

It shed light on the significance of the Makkah Declaration, which was sponsored by Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in anchoring and solidifying the values of comprehensive citizenship.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the issue of comprehensive citizenship is an essential expression of confidence and hope in the future of humanity.

Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah, the Minister of Tolerance of Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan opened the 8th Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies at Al Wasl Plaza in Expo 2020 Dubai.

Addressing the inaugural session of the event, which will run until December 7th, Sheikh Nahyan underlined the efforts made by the UAE leadership to promote the values of peaceful coexistence between all peoples of the world and enable all community members to contribute to sustainable development.

Presided by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Emirates Fatwa Council, the forum brings together leading Islamic scholars, religious leaders, and peace advocates.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, also delivered a speech at the forum’s opening session.

In his speech, Al-Issa noted that the issue of comprehensive citizenship, predicated on its common religious and cultural values and human values with their general natural law, its unique and general constitutional texts and principles, its laws, charters, and international norms, means within its local framework, coexistence on the national lands with fundamental rights, duties and equal opportunities in the full sense of fair equality.